Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz Defends Pandemic Response Amid Reelection Campaign

Kelly Girtz, mayor of Athens, Georgia, speaks to a group of students at the University of Georgia. Girtz is seeking reelection. (Photo/Brett Stephens)

On Friday, Mayor Kelly Girtz held a press conference in an effort to promote his campaign for reelection in Athens-Clarke County. Girtz spoke about his plans to handle COVID related incidents while mentioning how his leadership kept Athens successful economically.

“Athens is the home of the place in Georgia with the lowest COVID mortality rate of any urbanized county in the state,” said Girtz. “And simultaneously, we’ve had financially our most successful year ever.”

During his previous term as mayor of Athens, Girtz implemented a county-wide “stay at home” order to all residents. This decision was historic for not just Georgia, but the United States, as Athens became one of the first cities in America to implement a lockdown during the 2020 pandemic.

In March 2020, Athens followed much of the United States by implementing an indoor mask mandate in all restaurants and businesses. Girtz described a potential course of action if measurements needed to be taken.

“[I]f wearing a mask is the thing that you know you are compelled to do, you should be able to do that,” said Girtz. “And if we need to be in an environment where this entire room needs to be masked, then we need to be able to pivot there as well.”

Girtz continued to mention how his team was looking to make meaningful advances to make sure COVID did not impact small business owners in Athens. In addition to taking health-related measures against COVID, he also implemented financial measures in the community as well.

“[W]e also have allocated $4 million of American Rescue Plan Act dollars for workforce support,” said Girtz.

Girtz is looking to win reelection against five other opponents in the Athens mayoral race. Citizens of Athens will be able to vote for the city’s next mayor on May 24.